Sanitary appliance



March 11, 1930. H. ABRAHAMSON SANITARY APPLIANCE Filed April 25, 1928 c/zwmzo f/enz ylbra/za 7775022 Patented Mar. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES HENRY ABRAHAMSON,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS SANITARY APPLIANCE Application filed April 25,

My invention relates to appliances for the promotion of bodily sanitation, and more particulalry to improvements in body garments for the purpose referred to, and my main object is to provide a novel appliance in connection with a womans body garment which will induce a sanitary condition in the region of the bust.

A further object of the invention is to design the novel appliance in form to lend a maximum degree of comfort to the wearer in the region mentioned.

A still further object of the invention is to construct the same as an adjunct of the con ventional type of undergarment, so that it may be handy for application at all times.

A final, but nevertheless important object of the invention is to design the novel appliance on lines of utmost simplicity, making the same inexpensive to produce and easy to handle and apply.

With the above objects in view and any others that may suggest themselves from the specification and claims to follow, a better understanding of the-invention may be gained by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the novel appliance as incorporated in the conventional undergarmentand as in use, the garment being partly broken away for a clearer display of the appliance;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the garment, showing the position of the novel appliance by means of dotted lines; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the appliance as viewed from the front before it is secured, dotted lines indicating the relation of the garment to the same.

It is familiar fact that much discomfort has been experienced by many women on account of irritation, perspiration, lack of sanitation, and chafing of the skin in the region of the bust, but as far as I have been able to learn the only remedies applied for these discomforts have been various toilet preparations and cooling agents. It will be obvious that such means furnish but temporary relief. and even prove detrimental in extreme cases; also, such means require frequent at- 1928. Serial No. 272,732.

tention, diverting the subjects mind and time from other duties in her daily routine. It has been my intention to provide an article for the above purpose which is simple, comfortable and dependable for the maintainence of sanitation, and it is my belief that this article fulfills the above mentioned objects to their fullest extent.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 5 denotes a conventional upper undergarment for women, generally denoted as a vest. This style of garment is sleeveless, and employs laterally-spaced shoulder straps 6 for support. Garments of this type are usually made with sufficient elasticity for the necessary bodily movements required when putting on or removing the garment; and the open ings for the arm-pits are sufficiently large for freedom of movement in this connection.

My improvement comprises mainly a pair of bands 7 positioned inside the front of the garment. The bands are of thin material, such as sheeting, muslin or silk, and have their origin by stitching 8 to the sides of the garment on a line substantially below the armpits. But the outer end of each band is secured, and the balance thereof extends forwardly along the inside of the garment as indicated in Figure 3. The bands are about 3 or 4 inches in height, although in the larger sizes this dimension may be increased; and they are of a length to overlap more or less in the front, carrying strings 9 which may be tied in how fashion as indicated at 10 to secure the bands in place and ready to wear. Consistent with the size of the garment, the bands will be constructed of a length to have a minimum of overlap, so that no undue thickness will be occasioned by the overlapping characteristic. The novel appliance is intended to have its location between the pendent parts of the bust and the chest of the wearer, as clearly shown in Figure 1. In this position the skin of the said parts will be separated from that of the chest, so that friction and chafing are eliminated. On account of heat and perspiration developing in the region considered, I have seen fit to construct the bands of Q-ply material, the plies being separated along their entire extent except marginally, where they are suitably stitched together; also, the material will be selected with a view to having a high absorbent factor. Thus, the outer ply will shield and absorb moisture from the foreparts, while the inner ply will do the same relative to the body; and the shifting of the plies during the movements of the wearer will serve to disperse the moisture absorbed and promote ventilation between them whereby to cool the body members affected.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an appliance which does away with the necessity of toilet preparations, medicaments and any other temporary expedients for securing comfort and sanitation in the region considered. The appliance is held in proper place by its connection with the garment, so that it cannot shift or drop from the place intended for it; also, it is always ready to be applied being together with the first garment the wearer puts on. Concerning its application, no difficulty is presented. Thus, after the garment is put on the skirt portion thereof is raised to a sufficient extent at the front to expose the appliance fully and permit the same to be properly arranged and tied as described. In some instances the bands will remain in place without needing to be tied; in other cases, however, the tying is advisable to complete the support of the appli ance. From the nature of its construction, it will be obvious that the appliance may ture.

.HENRY ABRAHAMSON.

be inexpensively produced; also, it may be sewed into the conventional undergarment without changing the latter or requiring any peculiar constructions therein. Further, the appliance is of such a nature that it may be laundered along with the garment, and will not be expected to serve any longer than the garment, which is usually changed daily or at the most every few days. Thus, the appliance will not be worn so long at one time that its sanitary qualities will become materially diminished.

While I have shown the strings 9 for tying purposes, it may be found feasible to apply cloth covered fasteners of a suitable type. Also, recurring to the overlapped portions of the appliance, no discomfort will be caused by the same, since they are centrally located and therefore at one side of the parts served by the appliance.

V I have illustrated and described the invention in the preferred form, but it will be evident that the same is capable of many minor changes and refinements, and I desire to claim such changes and refinements as coming within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sanitary appliance for the bust comprising an undergarment, and bust chafing preventing bands extending from the sides thereof and along the inside of the front, 

